When it comes to commercial truck bodies for hauling materials, two configurations often come up together: stake bodies and platform bodies. They look similar at first glance — both are flat, open truck bodies — but they serve different purposes and work best in different industries. Here’s what you need to know before upfitting your work truck.
What Is a Platform Body?
A platform body is the most basic form of commercial truck body: a flat, open deck with no sides. It’s simply a heavy-duty platform that extends from the cab rearward. Features include:
- Completely flat, open deck — no sides or uprights
- Steel or aluminum construction
- Stake pockets around the perimeter for adding sides later
- Maximum loading flexibility — forklifts, cranes, and overhead lifts can access from any angle
- Low profile for easy loading of heavy equipment
- Often used as a base for custom configurations
Platform bodies are common in construction, landscaping, and material hauling where loads vary significantly from job to job.
What Is a Stake Body?
A stake body starts with the same flat platform concept but adds removable stake sides — vertical posts (stakes) inserted into pockets around the perimeter, with rails or boards running between them. This creates a contained cargo area while maintaining flexibility. Features include:
- Flat deck with stake pockets AND installed stake sides
- Removable sides — take them off for wide loads, put them back for loose materials
- Hardwood, steel, or aluminum stake sides depending on application
- Rear gate for controlled unloading
- Common in agriculture, nursery delivery, landscaping, and produce hauling
- Can be converted to platform configuration by removing stakes
Stake Body vs Platform Body: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Platform Body | Stake Body |
|---|---|---|
| Sides | None | Removable stake sides |
| Loose material containment | Poor (load shifts) | Good (sides contain load) |
| Wide/oversized load capability | Excellent | Good (remove stakes) |
| Crane/forklift access | All sides, unrestricted | All sides (stakes removable) |
| Agriculture use | Moderate | Excellent |
| Construction use | Excellent | Good |
| Nursery/landscaping delivery | Poor (plants tip over) | Excellent |
| Flexibility | High (one configuration) | Highest (two configurations) |
| Weight | Lighter | Slightly heavier with stakes |
| Typical price | $3,500–$7,000 | $4,500–$9,000 |
Which Industries Use Platform Bodies?
- Heavy equipment dealers — transporting machines, attachments, and parts that need crane or forklift loading
- Construction contractors — hauling lumber, steel, and building materials where loads vary daily
- Oilfield operations — pipe racks, equipment transport, and tool hauls where oversized loads are common
- Custom upfitters — starting with a clean platform to add specialized equipment
Which Industries Use Stake Bodies?
- Nurseries and garden centers — delivering plants, trees, and bagged materials that need containment
- Landscaping contractors — mulch, topsoil, sod, and landscaping materials
- Farmers and ranchers — hay, feed bags, produce, and livestock supplies
- Produce and food distribution — stacked pallets and containers that need side support
- Pest control and agricultural services — equipment and supply transport
Can You Convert Between the Two?
Yes — that’s the beauty of stake body design. Since the stakes are removable, you can run your truck as a platform body on days when you’re hauling wide or heavy equipment, then reinstall the stakes when you need to contain loose materials. This versatility makes stake bodies the smarter investment for most Texas contractors and farmers who need flexibility.
Platform and Stake Body Options at Star Truck Equipment
We carry and install both platform bodies and stake bodies at our Wharton, TX facility. Whether you need a basic platform for a construction company or a full stake body setup for a nursery delivery truck, we can build out the right configuration. Check our platform body page and contact us to discuss current availability.
Get a Quote Today
Ready to upfit your truck with a platform or stake body? Call Star Truck Equipment at (979) 532-1486 — we’ll help you choose the right configuration, material, and size for your operation. We’re located at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488 and serve contractors and businesses across South Texas.